AUSTRALIAN AUTO DESIGNERS KEEP STARRING ON THE WORLD STAGE

Labor is pleased to congratulate another Australian winner at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Ford’s GT Supercar, designed in the US by Todd Willing, a Tasmanian who now heads Ford’s Asia-Pacific Design Centre in Broadmeadows, has received the EyesOnDesign Award for Best Production Vehicle.

Shadow Minister for Innovation and Industry Kim Carr said that Ford’s win was a great double achievement for Australian talent, together with the success of GM Holden’s Port Melbourne Design Centre in winning Best Concept Vehicle for its Buick Avenir sedan car.

The awards demonstrated the high level of design and engineering skills to be found in Australia’s auto manufacturing industry, Senator Carr said.

“Those who like to pretend that Australia will lose nothing if the car industry shuts down completely should take note of the interest aroused by these vehicles at such a major international showcase,” he said.

“Australia’s auto industry is a great repository of technological capability and design skills that we must strive to retain.

“If we do so there is hope that the announced departure of the motor vehicle producers will not be the end of an automotive industry in this country.”